Pulse of The People: Watch for the children as we approach the fiscal cliff

We are 28 days away from the "fiscal cliff" and we might go over the edge. The fiscal cliff refers to the effect that a number of current laws, if left unchanged, would result in an increase in taxes and a decrease in spending in order to reduce the deficit. The decrease in spending is what has the human services community very concerned. The closer we get, the louder the cacophony of outrage and demands become; no one wants to fall. Those that will hit the ground the hardest, however, are completely ignoring the situation, not paying one bit of attention. They are entirely too busy napping, snacking and smushing play dough.

New York's children and their families are in serious danger of losing supports that are essential to our economy and our long term educational and workforce success. A report from Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin details the impact for children and families in each state in a July report, "Under Threat: Sequestration's Impact on Nondefense Jobs and Services." According to the report over 6,000 fewer children would be served through Head Start and over 1,200 teachers and other Head Start employees would lose their jobs. Additionally over 6,000 fewer children would receive child care subsidies, putting parents in the difficult position of choosing questionable child care or losing their jobs. There are other cuts that will effect children's development, health and education. The full report can be read here: harkin.senate.gov/documents/pdf/500ff3554f9ba.pdf

It is an unfortunate reality that our state has many sectors of vulnerable populations, all of whom would be affected by a loss of services. When children lose services, however, the effect is three fold. The most immediate of course is to the children themselves. Children need safe and consistent care situations. Ideally children should be in high quality environments, whether that is at home or at child care programs. But, even a child care program that is just meeting the minimum standards of safety and care is better than a patchwork of unreliable and unregulated care situations that puts a child's safety and own sense of security and comfort at risk.

The second layer of affect is to the parents and guardians. Balancing work and parenthood is a challenge for even the most educated and compensated in the workforce. For parents who are struggling to make ends meet and working in jobs with little job security, losing child care assistance can mean sacrifices like heat, electricity or regular meals. Losing child care can also mean losing a job. The long term impacts of that can be devastating for vulnerable children and their families.

Advertisement

The third layer of affect is to the society. In order for New York state to have a strong economy long term, it is imperative that we care for and educate our young children now. Children who engage in high quality early care and education are less likely to repeat grades, need special education, be high school drop outs or be incarcerated. There are multiple cost saving results of investments in the young and the perhaps the greatest outcome is a well prepared competitive future workforce. In order to entice new industries and businesses to take root in New York, we have to have something to offer; our human capital. If we continue to short change our children and sit back while others in the nation invest in theirs, we might as well hang the closed for business sign now.

We are approaching the cliff. We may or may not go over it. But if we do, our children may not survive the fall without a parachute. New York has to be prepared to ensure a soft landing for our children and our future. Are we?